Fact or fiction: Is David’s Bridal closing?
A banner reading: “Closing – this location only” has appeared in front of the David’s Bridal store at 3201 Veterans Parkway in Southwest Plaza. On April 17, David’s Bridal issued a press release stating that the company had filed for bankruptcy and 9,000 of its 10,000 employees would be laid off. It’s the second Chapter…
Annette McClure and Dallas Lee Whittaker open Springfield office for Terril & Co.
Annette McClure and Dallas Lee Whittaker have opened a Springfield office for Terril & Company, an independent wealth management firm based in St. Louis with strong Springfield connections. McClure and Whittaker both previously worked in the wealth management and trust department at Marine Bank, which merged with Morton Community Bank as of June 9 and…
Entrepreneurs to pitch ideas to investors at Innovate Springfield event
The University of Illinois Springfield and Innovate Springfield will host a “Shark Tank” style pitch night where aspiring local entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to investors. The event will be held from 5-6 p.m. Thursday, June 15, at Innovate Springfield, located on the second floor of 15 S. Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield. Top startup…
Sangamo Club closing its doors as of June 16
The Sangamo Club, a private dining establishment founded in 1890, is closing its doors as of June 16. A June 10 letter from James Ackerman, president of the board of directors, notified members of the closure and outlined the challenges faced by the Sangamo Club. He noted that unlike country clubs, the Sangamo Club cannot…
Building permits – June 5 – June 12
Memorial Health System received a commercial remodel permit for 747 Rutledge St. Contractor is O’Shea Builders and the project is valued at $4.3 million. St. John’s Hospital of Hospital Sisters of 3rd Order OSF received a commercial permit for 417 E. Carpenter St. Contractor is P.H. Broughton & Sons, Inc. and the project is valued…
Re/Max Professionals relocating office
The real estate agents at Re/Max Professionals are preparing to make a move of their own. “By the end of July, we will be working in our new location,” said owner Jim Fulgenzi. “The industry has changed significantly from when the building we’re in now was built 35 years ago. A traditional office layout doesn’t…
Merger of Marine Bank and Morton Community Bank completed June 9
The merger of Marine Bank into Morton Community Bank was completed on June 9. All Marine Bank locations are now branded as Clock Tower Community Bank, a Division of Morton Community Bank, including banking facilities in Springfield, Chatham, Rushville, Macomb, Bloomington-Normal and Champaign. The acquisition added 10 locations to the footprint of Morton Community Bank.…
Building permits – May 29-June 4
Memorial Health System received a commercial remodel permit for 2950 S. Sixth St. Contractor is PH Broughton & Sons, Inc., and the project is valued at $25,000. Solon LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 3461 Gatlin Drive. Contractor is Joyner Construction Services Inc. and the project is valued at $24,000. Rehan Properties LLC received…
Pole Barn Chic – Kids opening in Chatham
Event planning company Pole Barn Chic is opening a second location focused on kids’ parties. Pole Barn Chic – Kids,116 W. Walnut St. in Chatham, will have a variety of party items available for sale or rent, including supplies and decorations such as backdrops, throne chairs and marquee letters. “It’s going to be a little…
Greg Tally appointed director of Oak Ridge Cemetery
Gregory C. Tally has been appointed by Mayor Misty Buscher as executive director of Oak Ridge Cemetery. Oak Ridge Cemetery is the second most-visited cemetery in the nation with almost 1 million visitors entering the cemetery annually. Tally will oversee the educational programs, engagement and maintenance of the approximately 180 acres of property. Tally, who…
Premier Pickleball Center preparing to break ground on west side
Construction will begin soon on Premier Pickleball Center, slated to house Springfield’s first dedicated, indoor pickleball courts that can be utilized year-round. Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the third year in a row, and like many cities, Springfield has struggled to keep up with the demand for court space. “I’ve…
Springfield Chamber of Commerce to hold Small Business Award Luncheon
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Small Business Award Luncheon on Tuesday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Springfield. Nineteen local business owners have been nominated in the Small Business Owner category and will be recognized alongside nominees in three other categories: Not-for-profit, new and emerging and…
Nature’s Select relocating to Kent Plaza on South Sixth Street
After a decade of operations at the corner of Monroe and New streets, Nature’s Select of Springfield is preparing to move. “After 10 years, it’s time for an upgrade. We’re ready to take things to the next level,” said owner Chris Laier. The independent pet store will soon be relocating to 2739 S. Sixth St.,…
Building permits – May 15-May 28
Douglas Enterprises, LLC received a commercial remodel permit for 1836 S. First St. Contractor is Rickey Douglas and the project is valued at $2,000. Heidi Clark received a commercial remodel permit for 2922 Plaza Drive. Contractor is XPR Construction, Inc., and the project is valued at $80,000. Best Buy received a commercial remodel permit for…
Wellthy Juice Co. to open in The Gables
Heidi Clark has already been a business owner for more than a decade, but now she wants to bring a new concept to Springfield. She’s started the build out for Wellthy Juice Co, which will be located in The Gables. “I was going to open a juice bar next to the salon, and that didn’t…
Mel-O-Cream closes Fairhills Mall location
Mel-O-Cream fans currently have one less option to find their favorite doughnuts. The store in Fairhills Mall, located at 1953 W. Monroe, has closed effective immediately, although owner Amanda Crossland said she hopes it will only be temporary. “Over the last year we have been trying to work with the mall property management, located in…
Nami Poke opening at South Grand and MacArthur
A new restaurant concept will soon be opening at the corner of MacArthur Boulevard and South Grand Avenue. Hau Nguyen plans to open Nami Poke at 916 South Grand Ave. West, the site of the former Li’l Willy’s BBQ Smokehouse, which closed March 31. “I’ve been working in the restaurant industry for over 10 years,”…
Out-of-state investors see Springfield real estate as a good purchase
Michigan company organizing Springfield Multifamily Investor Club By David Blanchette It’s not unusual to have out-of-town investors purchase property in Springfield, but one of those investors is going about it in an unusual way. Destination Peak Partners from Detroit, Michigan, held an invitation-only event recently in Springfield that was designed to form the Springfield Multifamily…
El Arriero
By Thomas C. Pavlik El Arriero, which means “someone who drives mules,” opened up just under a year ago on West Wabash close to Archer Elevator Road. It serves fresh, authentic, homestyle Mexican food with great service and excellent salsa. There’s lots to like here. Although it’s in a strip center, El Arriero did a…
Evelyn Brandt Thomas – Iconic entrepreneur and philanthropist
By Jean Campbell PHOTO BY TERRY FARMER Evelyn Brandt Thomas is a well-known business figure in central Illinois and beyond. She and her brother, Glen, co-founded Brandt Fertilizer Inc. in 1953. The company, now simply BRANDT, has grown to be an international giant in agriculture. She is also recognized for her community leadership and giving…
Simone Parlier named new executive director of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital
HSHS St. John’s Hospital has announced Simone Parlier as the new executive director of women’s services and the children’s hospital. Her first day with the hospital was May 1. “This is my dream job,” said Parlier. “I am passionate about women’s health, especially as it relates to motherhood. I have dedicated my education and career…
Springfield Clinic and Central Illinois Customer Service Association to bring national keynote speaker to Springfield on June 7
Springfield Clinic is partnering with the Central Illinois Customer Service Association (CILCSA) to bring national keynote speaker Austin Hatch to Springfield on Wednesday, June 7, to share his story of “Grit and Thriving in the Midst of Adversity.” Hatch will share lessons learned from unimaginable loss, his extensive health care journey and his road to…
Kim Votsmier selling China Towne to a longtime patron
After more than two decades of operating China Towne, owner Kim Votsmier is selling the art studio at 4007 Yucan Dr. to one of her longtime patrons, Dr. Tabatha Wells. “She likes art and creating things, and that’s why she came to the studio and took lots of classes with us,” said Votsmier. Wells was…
Bowl Plus opening in Chatham Square Shopping Center
A Japanese Ramen and rice bowl restaurant is preparing to open in the Chatham Square Shopping Center in Springfield. Bowl Plus will occupy the space next to Godfather’s Pizza in the strip center at 1754 Wabash Ave. Owner Steve Zhao has been a part of various restaurant ventures throughout central Illinois, including Springfield’s two Hibachi…
